Rangers' Matt Rempe faces lengthy suspension for hit in first game back in NHL

New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe's return to the NHL didn't last long before he got in trouble again with the league.

The 6-foot-9, 255-pound fourth-liner was ejected in his first game back after the Rangers recalled him from the American Hockey League. The NHL Department of Player Safety has offered him an in-person hearing for boarding/elbowing Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen on Friday night.

An in-person hearing is offered if a suspension has the potential to be six games or more. The department said the hearing would be Sunday via Zoom.

Rempe's hit occurred at 7:13 of the third period and he received a five-minute elbowing major and a game misconduct. Heiskanen returned later in the period and finished the game.

Rempe is a repeat offender, having been suspended four games for elbowing the New Jersey Devils' Jonas Siegenthaler in the head in March.

Rempe was a popular Rangers player last season because of his numerous fights against some of the league's heavyweights.

This season, though, he has spent most of the season in the AHL to work on his overall game.

Friday was his fifth Rangers game of the season and first since Nov. 25. It was the fourth time he has been ejected in his 22-game NHL career.

This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rangers' Matt Rempe faces suspension for hit on Miro Heiskanen